Alternative Sources of Energy An alternative source of energy usually means an energy source that can be used instead of fossil fuels. These are generally renewable and its use can be sustained long after fossil fuels have run out. Why is there a need for alternative sources of energy?
Fossil fuels are going to run out
The cost of fossil fuels is going up as the supply starts to slow down
Fossil fuels release CO2 when burnt which contributes to global warming
Coal is very polluting and can lead to an increase in the occurrence of acid rain
The advantages of using natural sources of energy
They are natural sources, which are inexhaustible and will always be available. They are renewable sources of energy
They are clean sources of energy which are not going to make further contributions to polluting the Earth
There are several different types and many different countries will have at least one type of renewable energy
Types of alternative sources of energy
Nuclear - NON-RENEWABLE
Wind
Solar
Tidal
Biomass
Hydro-Electric Power (HEP)- Three Gorges Dam Case Study
See the online textbook page ‘energy - a summary’ for a more detailed breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of energy
Alternative Sources of Energy
An alternative source of energy usually means an energy source that can be used instead of fossil fuels. These are generally renewable and its use can be sustained long after fossil fuels have run out.
Why is there a need for alternative sources of energy?
- Fossil fuels are going to run out
- The cost of fossil fuels is going up as the supply starts to slow down
- Fossil fuels release CO2 when burnt which contributes to global warming
- Coal is very polluting and can lead to an increase in the occurrence of acid rain
The advantages of using natural sources of energy- They are natural sources, which are inexhaustible and will always be available. They are renewable sources of energy
- They are clean sources of energy which are not going to make further contributions to polluting the Earth
- There are several different types and many different countries will have at least one type of renewable energy
Types of alternative sources of energy- Nuclear - NON-RENEWABLE
- Wind
- Solar
- Tidal
- Biomass
- Hydro-Electric Power (HEP)- Three Gorges Dam Case Study
See the online textbook page ‘energy - a summary’ for a more detailed breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of energy